Tire pressure monitoring sensor with changing functionality based upon vehicle action

Abstract

A tire pressure monitoring system includes a plurality of tire pressure monitoring sensors including low frequency wireless receivers and high frequency wireless transmitters. The system further includes a plurality of low frequency transmitters each being disposed proximate one of the plurality of tire pressure monitoring sensors. The system further includes a control module in communication with the plurality of tire pressure monitoring sensors through the plurality of low frequency transmitters. In a first phase of operation the control module causes the low frequency transmitters to transmit low frequency wireless signals to the tire pressure monitoring sensors causing the tire pressure monitoring sensors to transmit data to the control module at a rate. In a second phase or operation the tire pressure monitoring sensors transmit data to the control module at a second rate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This patent claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) to U.S. Provisional application No. 61 / 770,902, filed Feb. 28, 2013 and entitled “Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor With Changing Functionality Based Upon Vehicle Action,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to methods, system and devices for monitoring tire pressure data of vehicle wheel units.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Tire pressure monitoring sensors are utilized to monitor air pressure within vehicle tires and transmit data related to the tire pressure to a control module of a tire pressure monitoring system. To ensure that the driver of a vehicle is kept apprised of air pressure within the vehicle tires, tire pressure monitoring sensors collect data pertaining to tire pressure and periodically transmit such collected data to the control module of the tire pressure monitoring system. The pe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods, systems, and devices for monitoring tire pressure data of vehicles. This is particularly useful for vehicles that have tire pressure monitoring sensors that can monitor tire pressure data and send it to a control module for transmission. The invention reduces the number of times the tire pressure data is sent, which in turn reduces the battery usage of the tire pressure monitoring sensor. This is especially useful for tire pressure monitoring sensors that have multiple applications and configurations. Overall, the invention improves the efficiency and lifespan of tire pressure monitoring systems.

Problems solved by technology

Many functions of the tire pressure monitoring sensor utilizes power and shortens battery life.

However, the transmission of tire pressure data utilizes a relatively large amount of energy.

Accordingly, the greater frequency of data transmission, the more battery power must be supplied, which inherently adds cost to the tire pressure monitoring sensor, or shortens life expectancy of the battery and hence tire pressure monitoring sensor.

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